Ski rope reel and tow mechanism



D. L. TURNER SKI ROPE REEL AND TOW'MECHANISM A ril 25, 1967 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2-1, 1965 DONALD L.TU|RNER INVENTOR ATTORNEYApril 25, 1967 D. TURNER SKI ROPE REEL AND TOW MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed July 2l 1965 DONALD L. TURNER INVENTOR. W 56. $1 54 5 BY K AT TOR N EY D. L. TURNER SKI ROPE REEL AND TOW MECHANISM A ril 25, 1967 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 1965 95 SWITCH DONALD L. TURNER INVENTOR Wi WBY ATTORNEY April 25, 1967 'D. 1.. TURNER 3,315,914

SKI ROPE REEL AND TOW MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4DONALD L. TURNE R INVENTOR.

By W%% ATTORNEY April 25, 1967 D TURNER 3,315,914

SKI ROPE REEL AND TOW MECHANISM Filed July 2. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.14

FIG. I5

DONALD L. TURN E R INVENTOR.

ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,315,914 SKI RGPE REEL AND TOW MECHANISMDonald L. Turner, Fort Wayne, Ind. Filed July 21, 1965, Ser. No. 473,793Claims. (Cl. 24286.5)

This invention relates to an automatic ski rope reel and tow mechanismfor winding and storing the ski rope when notin use by a water skier,and more particularly the invention relates to a device adapted forpositioning on an inboard or outboard boat where in the rope used to towa water skier is mechanically wound on a reel, which reel also serves asa connection for the rope to the boat. This application is acontinuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 244,979 filed Dec. 17,1962, now abandoned. The retrieving and storing of a ski rope has alwayspresented a problem for the operator of the boat, and several prior artdevices have been designed in an effort to solve this problem. However,the prior art devices as known have not completely solved the problem ofpre venting the entangling, knotting or snarling of the line when inoperation.

A further defect of prior art devices is that during ski towingoperation, they fail to provide a simple, inexpensive means for windingup the ski tow rope so that it is wound in orderly coils on a windupspool or the like and without crisscrossing of the coils to producedamage to the ski tow line. The ski tow line is generally of braidedmaterial and is difficult to form in orderl coils on a winding spool.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a Water skireel which will prevent the knotting, entangling, or snarling of theline during the operation thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic shutoffmeans which will de-energize the drive motor of the reel device when theski rope has reached a predetermined position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic shutoffdevice which will de'energize the reel drive motor so that a portion ofthe rope, having the handles, will remain in the water for the skier tograsp.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic reeldevice for a line or rope having a stepped, or ofiset spool so that therope can be wound evenly thereon.

Another salient feature of this invention is to provide a magnetic drivemechanism connected between the electric drive motor and the spoolmechanism which is adapted to slip when a predetermined torque is placedon the line or rope to prevent the coils of the electric motor frombecoming overloaded and damaged.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ski rope win-dingmechanism having guide means to position the rope evenly on a spool andto provide electrical control means associated with the guide means tode-energize the electric motor when the rope has been wound to apredetermined position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel guide means forthe ski rope which will slide on the housing to compensate for any anglethe ski rope may have with respect to the reel mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a springloaded guidedisposed within the housing for positioning the ski rope longitudinallyand radially upon the spool.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and com binations of parts, herewith more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ski rope reel and tow mechanism withthe cover removed to illustrate the mechanism disclosed within thehousing;

FIGURE 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the spring-loaded guidemechanism taken along line 22 in FIGURE 3 which functions to space therope on the spool;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the spring-loaded guide mechanism illustratedin FIGURE 2 with a portion of the spool broken away to illustrate themeans of securing the rope to the spool;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view illustrating the control relay mounted onone end of the drive motor;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the magnetic drivemechanism connected to the other end of the drive motor;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the guide disposed on thehousing, and the electrical automatic shutoff switch associatedtherewith;

FIGURE 7 is a top view of the guide mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the drive gear assembly takenalong line 8-8 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is an electrical schematic diagram of the circuits used tocontrol the operation of the electric drive motor;

FIGURE 10 is a detailed view of the mounting bracket and rod;

FIGURE 11 is an isometric exploded view of a further embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 12 is a sectioned detail view of the guide and reel device takenalong line 1212 in FIGURE 13, said guide device being adapted fortraversing back and forth during coiling of the ski rope on the spool;

FIGURE 13 is a detail view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 12,shown partially broken away and viewed from the right hand end of FIGURE12;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged detail view of a further guide and automaticshutoff switch associated therewith constituting a further embodiment ofthe invention over that of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view of a drive gear assembly modifiedfrom that in FIGURE 8; and,

FIGURE 16 is a section view taken on line 16-16 of FIGURE 12.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 11designates the housing having a removable cover 13. The lower part 14 ofthe housing is preferably constructed of plastic and is relatively smallin size being approximately 8% inches long, 8 inches Wide and 3% incheshigh. A pair of supports 15 and 17 are carried by the lower part 14 ofthe housing and are adapted to sup port an electric drive motor 19therein. A rotating mechanism 21 is mounted adjacent and parallel to themotor 19 and is carried in the lower part 14 of the housing by means ofa support 23, and a support identical to the support 23, not shown. Thespool 25 of the rotating mechanism 21 is provided with an offset orrecess portion 27 so that the ski rope 29 can be evenly positionedlongitudinally thereon. One end 31 of the spool (FIGURE 3) is hollow andis provided with an opening 33 so that one end of the ski rope 29 canpass therethrough. The end of the rope is then knotted at 35 so that therope is secured to the spool.

The end plate 37 is mounted on the portion 27 by a press fit. The endplate 39 is adapted to be snapped onto the spool portion 31 and can beremoved when it is desired to tie or unt ie a knot in the end of therope. The spool 3 rive gear 41 is mounted on a stub shaft 43 and is con-:cted to the plate 39 so that they will rotate together.

The spring-loaded guide mechanism 45, FIGURES 1,

and 3, is disposed between the spool and the electric otor 19 on a shaft47 provided with left and right hand rreads or grooves 49. The guidehousing 51 is carried on re shaft 47 by a holder 53 having a follower 55provided ith a thin blade 57. The blade 57 which is about as wide ;thegroove 49 is provided with an arcuate recess 56 and adapted to bereceived in the groove or threads 49. The lade will follow the threads49 as the shaft 47 is rotated nd move the housing 51 longitudinally withrespect to the pool 25. The spring 59 maintains the blade 57 in contact'ith the threads 49. The guide housing 51 is also proided with arecessed portion 61 for receiving a spring 63 nd a guide element 65. Theplunger 67 provided with a ore 69 for receiving the guide element isforcibly maintined against the rope 29 by means of the spring 63. Theead 71 of the plunger 67 is provided with a grooved or urved portion 73which corresponds to the curvature of 1e periphery of the spool and isadapted to receive the ope 29. The gear 75 will rotate the shaft 47 sothat the lade 57 will move the guide housing 51 along the longi- Jdinalaxis of the shaft 47. When the guide housing caches the end of the shaft47, it will be reversed and will ollow the opposite thread on the shaft.

The guide housing 51 is provided with a recess 52 which adapted toreceive a track 54 mounted on the casing or rousing 14. The track 54serves to maintain the guide rousing 51 and plunger 67 in radialalignment with the pool 25.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 6 and 7, the cover 13 s provided with arectilinear opening 77. A recess 79 is rrovided in the cover and isadapted to receive a flange 83 nounted on the guide member 81 which isdisposed in the pening 77. The L-shaped rectilinear plate 85 is mounted)n the cover 13 by bolts 87 and 89. As will be seen in FIGURE 1, thebolts 89 pass through the support 23 and )ut the bottom portion of thehousing 14 so that they may 6e secured to the mounting bracket 191(FIGURE 10). The L-shaped plate 85 and the recess 79 form a track forthe guide member 81. The guide member 81 is substantially square inshape and is provided with a round opening 91 having a flared portion at93 so that the guide member will not fray the ski rope as it passestherethrough. The guide member 81 is provided with four posts disposedat each corner, two of which are illustrated at 103 and 105. A plate 97having a round opening 99 for receiving a plastic grommet 101 which hasa diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the ski rope 29 ismounted on the posts through openings (not shown) in the plate 97. Aprojection 96 extending from the plate 97 is adapted to contact a copperstrip to form a normally closed electrical switch 95. The plate 97 isresiliently mounted on the posts by means of springs as illustrated at109 and 113. A backing plate 107 is mounted on the posts and is providedwith a round opening 117 slightly larger than the opening in the grommet101. The edges of the opening 117 are rounded so as not to fray the skirope 29 as it passes therethrough. The opening 117 in the backing platealso serves as a guide to center the ski rope 29 in the plastic grommet101 as the rope passes therethrough to prevent accidental breaking ofthe contact between the projection 96 and the plate 115 in the normallyclosed switch 95. The posts are flared at 118 after the parts describedabove have been assembled.

A recess 119 is formed in the cover 13 to receive a stiff ribbon 121which is attached to the guide member 81 at 82 and 84. As illustrated inFIGURE 7, the side of the cover 13 is also provided with a recess 123which serves to guide the ribbon or cover 121 into the recess 119 andalso serves to store the ribbon as the guide member 81 slides back andforth in the opening 77. The ribbon 121 will close the opening 77 toprevent any water from entering the case when the device is inoperation. If desired, the ribbon can be omitted from the device, and adrain opening (not shown) can be formed in the bottom of the casing 14.

Referring to FIGURE 4, a relay 125 having a coil 127 is mounted on oneend of the motor 19. The relay 125 is provided with a motor contact 129and a holding contact 131.

As illustrated in FIGURE 5, a magnetic drive 133 is connected to thedrive shaft 136 of the motor 19. The magnetic drive 133 is formed by apair of circular magnetic holders and 137 having a plurality of spacedradial recesses 139 to receive a number of permanent ceramic magnets 141which are separated by a union or ball bearing 143. The holder 137 isprovided with a bore 144 to receive the shaft 136. The holder 135 isprovided with a bore 145 to receive one end 147 of a stub shaft 149. Thestub shaft 149 is mounted in a bearing 151 which is carried by a Ushapedsupport 153 formed on the casing 14. The holders 135 and 137 arechamfered at 145 to provide a seat for the bearing 143.

Referring to FIGURE 8, the transfer gear 157 and a transfer gear 159 aremounted on a stub shaft 161. The stub shaft 161 is connected to a squaremounting plate 163 which is adapted to be disposed in the bracket 165 onthe housing 14. It should be noted that the stub shaft 161 is connectedto the mounting plate 163 slightly off center so that the center of theshaft 161 is slightly above the centers of the drive gear 167 and thespool gear 41. This is to provide proper clearance between the teeth ofthe gear so that they will not bind, and will rotate freely.

As will be seen in FIGURE 1, the drive gear 167 rotates the transfergear 157 mounted on the stub shaft 161. The transfer gear 159 which alsois mounted on shaft 161 will rotate the spool drive gear 41, and thespool gear 41 Will rotate the gear 75 mounted on the shaft 47.

As will be seen in FIGURE 10, the housing or casing 11 can be mounted ona bar 193 by a pair of brackets 191 and 195. The brackets 191 and 195are provided with recesses 197 and 199 for receiving the bar 193. Thebracket 195 is secured to the bracket 191 by a pair of bolts 201 and203. The bar 193 is mounted on the back of the boat in a conventionalmanner.

Referring to the electrical schematic diagram illustrated in FIGURE 9,the coil 127 will be energized when the manual switch 169 is closedthrough line 171, switch 95, line 173 and line 175. The other side ofthe coil 127 is connected directly to the negative side of the batterythrough line 177. Upon energization of the coil 127, the relay willclose contacts 129 and 131, thereby establishing a holding circuitthrough line 179, contact 131, line 173, switch 95 and line 171. Uponenergization of the coil 127, and the closing of contact 129, the motoris energized through line 181, contacts 129 and line 171. The other sideof the motor is connected directly to the negative side of the batterythrough line 183.

OPERATION Assuming that the rope 29 has been secured to the spool 25 asillustrated in FIGURE 3, and wound completely thereon, the rope may bemanually unwound by exerting a small force on the end of the rope. Thespool 25 will have a slight drag due to the rotation of the gear train,however, the drag is not suflicient to retard the unwinding of the rope.As a general rule, a ski rope is approximately 75 feet in length andformed of nylon or other suitable plastic. When it is desired toretrieve or wind the rope on the spool, the manual switch 169 is closedthereby energizing the coil 127 which closes con-' tacts 129 and 131establishing a holding circuit and energizing the electric drive motor19. The spool 25 is then rotated through the gear train, magnetic drive133 and shaft 136 of the motor 19.

In the event the rope 29 becomes snagged or caught, the magnetic drive133 will slip to prevent damage or the burning out of the coils in themotor 19.

The guide member 81 will position the rope 29 perpendicular, or at anangle of approximately 90 with respect to the axis of the spool 25. Thiswill assure that the rope 29 will remain in proper alignment with theguide member 45 which guide member, through the action of the plunger67, will axially space the rope 29 on the spool 25, thus it will be seenthat the entire rope can be wound or stored in a relatively small case.

A small butterfly member in the form of a plastic finger 186, FIGURE 1,is attached to the rope 29 approximately or 12 feet from the end. Thebutterfly member 186 is flexible and slightly larger than the diameterof the opening in the plastic grommet 101. When the butterfly membercontacts the grommet 101, the normally closed switch 95 is openedbreaking the holding circuit, and the coil 127 will be de-energized thusbreaking the contacts 129 and 131. When the contact 129 is broken, themotor 19 is de-energized. The primary purpose of the butterfly member186 is to allow a portion of the rope to remain in the water to permitthe water skier to grasp the rope without coming too close to the boatwhere he might be injured by the propeller. Motor inertia draws thebutterfly through the grommet so that the motor can be reactivated. Atthe close of the day or at the conclusion of the water skiing, it isdesirable to reel in the entire length of the rope, whereby theremaining 10 or 12 feet is wound by again closing the manual contactswitch 169 which will re-energize the motor and the remaining portionwill be wound on the spool 25. A knot 187 is disposed adjacent the endof tthe rope, and the knot being larger than the Opening in the grommet101 will open the normally closed switch 95 when the knot comes incontact with the grommet, thus breaking the holding circuit to the coil127 which will de-energize the motor 19 as described above.

Referring next to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 11-16, there isillustrated a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, aremovable cover 313 is secured by bolts 314 to a housing 311 which isfastened through a mounting bra-cket 391, and a mounting bar (not shown)to the rear of a towing boat. Within the housing 311 is an electricmotor 319 which is mounted on spaced supports 315 and its output drivesa gear train initiating with a drive gear 467 which is journaled in anopening 453. The drive gear 467 is geared with a transfer gear 457mounted on a molded arm 459. The transfer gear 457 has a journal pin 460(FIGURE which is passed through an opening in the arm 459 and gear 457has integrally formed therewith a second gear 461 which meshes withdrive gear 463 driving gear 341 which turns the spool 325. The gear 463has a shaft 447 journaled within a socket (not shown) of the housing 311and it rotates shaft 347 having left end,-and right end helically formedthreads or grooves 349.

Referring to FIGURE 11, the spool 325 is mounted at its opposite ends onstub axles 343 and the ends of the spool are bounded by the end plates337 and 339. The tow line 329, which is in the form of nylon wovenstrands or the like, is wound in coils on the spool 325 and the spool325 is caused to rotate by the motor and gear train described. Thediameter of the coils and the spool are dimensioned in relation to eachother (FIGURE 13) so that midway of the spool 325 a reduced diametersection 327 initially receives the coils, and such coils form a windingwhich becomes of the same diameter as the larger diameter portion(FIGURE 13). The tow line is initially secured by passing an end throughopening 333 and forming a knot 335. The knotted end 335 becomes theconnection between the tow line 329 and the spool when the line is fullyextended and the skier is being towed. This connection is formed aboutmidway of the length of the spool so that the connection is balanced.

One of the important features of the invention is that the coiling ofthe tow line onto the spool 325 is orderly and each of the coils isformed adjacent to the next until reaching one or the other of the endplates 337 or 339, at which point the coiling direction reverses and thesecond set of coils is laid over the underset of coils, but againhowever the coils are formed one adjacent the other and there is nocrossover of the coils which might otherwise damage the coils or varythe payout rate of the coils during the initial towing period of theskier at which time the line is being extended until it reaches its endand then draws the skier through the water.

In the present invention, each coil is laid at its designated point andis wrapped securely and tightly without slack and without disored. Suchresults are obtained by means of a traversing carriage 345 which isreceived within a track 352 (FIGURES 11, 12) and travels back and forthsubstantially the length of the spool 325. The traversing carriage 345is caused to move by means of a blade 357 which is received within thegrooves or threads 349 of shaft 347 which is caused to rotate by thegear train as previously described. As the blade 357 rides Within thegrooves 349 of the shaft 347, the carriage 345 will be caused to movefirst in one direction along the track 352 and then as the blade entersthe oppositely inclined threads at the end of its extreme travel to theright or left, it will reverse in travel, traversing in the oppositedirection within the track 352 relatively to the spool 325. The rate ofrotation of shaft 347 is timed and coordinated with the rotation ofspool 325 so that a guide arm 371 on the carriage 345 is in contact withthe coil as it is being wound. The guide arm 371 has an eyelet 373 andis biased downwardly by a spring 3 63 compressed between a projection451 and a cross shaped base 365, the base 365 connecting the tworesilient legs 369 which are adapted to spring fit into notches 366 ofcarriage 345. The movement of the eyelet 373 and the engagement ofarcuate section 375 with the coil as it is being wound (FIGURE 12)ensures a proper placement of the coil and tension on the coils suchthat the series of coils will follow a prescribed course at the start ofwindup for the tow apparatus, as previously described, the coils arewrapped beginning (FIGURE 13) at the midpoint of the spool and coilingproceeds to the right and then reverses overlaying the first set ofcoils and continuing over the larger diameter section 325. The describedcoiling operation, both as to its guidance and rate of coiling arecoordinated by gearing together the rotation of spool 325 and shaft 347which has the left and right hand threads or grooves 349. Movement ofthe carriage 345 is determined by shaft 347 through movement of theblade 357 within the track 352 such traversing being provided throughthe pin 351 which permits the slight angular movement of the blade 357providing the necessary change in angularity so that the blade 357 canshift as it reverses direction at the end plates 337 and 339. In allother respects the operation of the motor 319, the magnetic clutch, andthe electrical circuit previously described in FIGURES 4, 5 and 9remains essentially the same.

Referring next to FIGURE 14 the structure has been modified over that ofFIGURE 6. In this embodiment, the tow line is passed through a curvedportion 393 of a guide member 381 which is biased by springs 409 suchthat copper ring 415 is in electrical contact with a copper strip 396which is located on the undersurface of the removable cover 313. Theguide member 381 is adapted to traverse back and forth (FIGURE 11)within a guide opening 377 which corresponds in length to the spool 325.The guide member 381 is freely movable and it follows generally thelocation of the eyelet 373. The tow line 329 thus has two guidancesurfaces as it passes out of the water and onto the spool 325. As thetow line 329 reaches its fully wound position, approximately 10 ft.before being fully retracted, a butterfly 486 which is secured to theline 329 comes into contact with the flared portion 393 of the opening391 causing the guide member 3811 to move toward the cover 313 againstthe resistnce of the springs 409 and thereby moving the attached opperstrip 415 away from the companion switch copper rejection 3% and therebyopening the switch and de- .ctuating the circuit which energizes themotor 319 as escribed in the previous embodiment. Motor coasting lrawsthe butterfly through the opening 391 as previously lescribed.

If skiing is to be resumed, the pilot does nothing furher; he leaves asection of about ft. whereby the skier :an grab the end of the towhandle and remain a safe disance from the towing boat to resume skiing.If, how- :ver, the skiing is ended the operator reactuates the notor 319in the manner previously described and the notor 319 is again actuatedto effect windup of the renaining 10 ft. of line. At this time theoperation is .erminated by bringing the knot 487 into engagement withthe portion 393, again interrupting the electrical :ontact 415 with 396and terminating the windup operation.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described inconnection with a plurality of example embodiments it will be understoodthat these are illustrative of the invention and are by no meansrestrictive thereof. It is reasonably to be expected that those skilledin this art can make numerous revisions and adaptations and it isintended that such revisions and adaptations which incorporate theherein disclosed principles will be included within the scope of thefollowing claims as equivalents of the invention.

I claim:

1. A reel and tow for a water ski rope comprising, in combination: anelectric motor, a housing having means for supporting said electricmotor therein, a rotating mechanism adapted to be disposed in saidhousing, a magnetic drive means connected between the electric motor androtating mechanism, and slidable guide means for axially positioning theski rope on the rotating mechanism including a member adapted to slideback and forth in a rectangular opening in the housing, said memberhaving an opening to permit the ski rope to slide therethrough,electrical control means carried by said member, said electrical meansadapted to de-energize the electric motor when the ski rope has beensubstantially Wound on the rotating mechanism.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a slidable cover means is providedto close the rectangular opening in the housing as the member slidesback and forth in the opening.

3. A reel for a rope comprising, in combination: a housing having meansfor supporting a spool therein, a rope adapted to be wound on saidspool, said rope having a knot adjacent one end, means including anelectric motor for rotating said spool, said housing having slidableguide means for axially positioning said rope on said spool, said guidemeans including electrical means adapted to be actuated by the knot inthe rope to de-energize the electric motor wherein the guide means alsoincludes a cylindrical member, and said electrical means including anormally closed switch disposed within said cylindrical membersubstantially intermediate its ends, said switch having an eyeletloosely surrounding the rope so that the knot in the rope will not passtherethrough and will open the switch when it comes in contact with theeyelet.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the cylindrical member is providedwith a radially inwardly projecting flange forming an opening slightlylarger than the diameter of the rope, said flange serving to guide therope so that the eyelet will not be actuated until contacted by therope, said switch having support means for positioning the eyeletsubstantially in the center of the cylindrical member, and resilientmounting means for supporting said support means within the cylindricalmember.

5. A reel and tow for a water ski rope comprising, in combination: anelectric motor, a housing having means for supporting the electric motortherein, a spool mounted adjacent the electric motor, a first guidemeans carried within the housing, a second guide means carried on thehousing and cooperating with the first guide means for maintaining theski rope in a straight line between the first and second guide means sothat the ski rope is in alignment with respect to the spool, and amagnetic drive means connected between the motor and spool for rotatingthe spool.

6. In a ski tow apparatus, the structure comprising: a windup spoolhaving an operative tow connection with a flexible tow line, a firstguide means and a second guide means for slidably directing the line asit traverses back and forth over the outer surface of said spool forcoiling thereon, movable carriage means for guiding the movement of saidfirst guide means whereby the coils of line are generated one coiladjacent the next and one coil is laid over the outer surface of thelower set of coils, and gear means for coordinating the movement of saidfirst guide means with the rate of coiling of line over the surface ofsaid spool.

7. In a ski tow apparatus, the structure comprising: a windup spoolhaving an operative tow connection with a flexible tow line, a pair ofspaced apart guide means for slidably directing the line as it traversesback and forth over the outer surface of said spool for coiling thereon,movable carriage means for guiding the movement of one of said guidemeans whereby the coils of line are generated one coil adjacent the nextand one coil is laid over the outer surface of the lower set of coils,means for coordinating the movement of said guide means with the rate ofceiling of line over the surface of said spool, and one of said guidemeans having resilient means for yieldably bearing against the outerperiphery of the coil of line to effect an orderly generation of saidcoils one adjacent the next and without crisscrossing the coils one overthe next.

8. In a ski tow apparatus, the structure comprising: a windup spoolhaving an operative tow connection with a flexible tow line, a pair ofspaced apart guide means for slidably directing the line as it traversesback and forth over the outer surface of said spool for coiling thereon,carriage means for guiding the movement of one of said guide meanswhereby the coils of line are generated one coil adjacent the next andone coil is laid over the outer surface of the lower set of coils; ameans for coordinating the movement of said guide means with the rate ofcoiling of line over the surface of said spool, one of said guide meanshaving resilient means for yieldably bearing against the outer peripheryof the coil of line to effect an orderly generation of said coils oneadjacent the next and without crisscrossing the coils one over the next,switch means for terminating operation of said coiling and operativelycombined with one of said guide means, and

switch-operating means combined with said line to effect operation ofsaid switching means when there is a predetermined portion of lineremaining for windup.

9. In a ski tow apparatus, a windup motor, a spool operatively driven bysaid motor and adapted for coordinated operation in combination withsaid spool and having guide means, said guide means including an eyeletthrough which the line is passed and a resilient arm which bears againstthe outer periphery of coils of line generated over the outer peripheryof said spool, and a second guide means also adapted for traversingmovement in relation to said spool to provide two guiding surfacesdirecting the back and forth movement of the line as it coils along thelength of the spool in a series of closely adjacent coils all of whichare in concentric relation.

10. In a ski tow apparatus, a windup motor, a spool operatively drivenby said motor and adapted for coordinated operation in combination withsaid spool and having guide means, said guide means including an eyeletthrough which the line is passed and a resilient arm which bears againstthe outer periphery of coils of line generated over the outer peripheryof said spool, and a sec- 0nd guide means also adapted for traversingmovement in relation to said spool to provide two guiding surfacesdirecting the back and forth movement of the line as it coils along thelength of the spool in a series of close adjacent coils all of which arein concentric relation, and gear means for driving said guide means incoordinated relation, said spool and said guide means whereby the rateof takeup of line and coiling thereof are performed as coordinatedoperations.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,009,829 11/1911Clark 24271.9 1,233,106 7/1917 Myette 242-158.3

Dowrelio 24286 Beaumont. Honig, Knoerzer et a1 242-1583 Magnuson242-158.2 X Child 24286.5 Sadler 242-86.5 X Nicholson 242-86.5

Bey 317-201 X FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner. M. STEIN, STANLEY N.GILREATH, N. L. MINTZ,

Assistant Examiners.

1. A REEL AND TOW FOR A WATER SKI ROPE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: ANELECTRIC MOTOR, A HOUSING HAVING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID ELECTRICMOTOR THEREIN, A ROTATING MECHANISM ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN SAIDHOUSING, A MAGNETIC DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ANDROTATING MECHANISM, AND SLIDABLE GUIDE MEANS FOR AXIALLY POSITIONING THESKI ROPE ON THE ROTATING MECHANISM INCLUDING A MEMBER ADAPTED TO SLIDEBACK AND FORTH IN A RECTANGULAR OPENING IN THE HOUSING, SAID MEMBERHAVING AN OPENING TO PERMIT THE SKI ROPE TO SLIDE THERETHROUGH,ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS CARRIED BY SAID MEMBER, SAID ELECTRICAL MEANSADAPTED TO DE-ENERGIZE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WHEN THE SKI ROPE HAS BEENSUBSTANTIALLY WOUND ON THE ROTATING MECHANISM.